The story of Afghanistan’s rise in cricket is nothing short of a fairytale. Rashid Khan and Rohit Sharma have been instrumental in this journey, which has taken them from becoming full members of the International Cricket Council in 2017 to reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024. Despite being labelled as minnows or underdogs, Afghanistan produced some outstanding performances, defeating teams like New Zealand and Australia.
One of the key factors that have contributed to Afghanistan’s success is the support they received from India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In 2015, the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became Afghanistan’s temporary home ground, thanks to the BCCI. Afghan players also benefited from the guidance of former India players like Lalchand Rajput, Manoj Prabhakar, and Ajay Jadeja who coached them in the past.
The BCCI’s efforts to strengthen their relationship between India and Afghanistan were evident when they invited then-Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani to watch the team play its first Test match in Bengaluru. Additionally, many Afghan cricketers participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), not only improving their game but also inspiring others in their country to pursue cricket. The IPL has provided Afghan players with opportunities to showcase their talent on a global platform, further boosting their confidence and skills.
